With the pregame festivities complete, it was time for the two teams to go to work.
While the Panthers held the Patriots high-powered offense to a field goal, defensive end Julius Peppers was shaken up on the third down stop. Don’t worry, he would return.
That’s what we call foreshadowing, because he would return to add two sacks to his team leading 4.5 for the season.
After kicking a field goal themselves to tie it at 3-3, Cam Newton would throw an interception into double coverage that was intended for Damiere Byrd. Newton would say after the game that the only silver lining was that it was a deep pass, so it was similar to a punt for the Panthers.
Brady and Hogan would turn that interception into a touchdown to take an early 10-3 lead.
Down 10-3, Cam Newton would use his previous interception to galvanize his performance; the former MVP would complete his final eight attempts of the half, including two touchdowns to send the Panthers into haltime with 17 points.
The Patriots would put some drives together but were ultimately stopped by the Panthers with some bend-don’t-break performances to limit the high powered offense to 16 points in the first half.
HALFTIME: Panthers 17, Patriots 16
After a Jonathan Stewart red zone fumble would turn the ball over on the first drive of the second half, Newton would find Funchess again for another touchdown to send the Panthers up by seven, as kicker Graham Gano would miss the extra point to leave the score at 23-16.
Again, foreshadowing.
It was another three-and-out for the Patriots offense, as the defense, led by Luke Kuechly, who would finish with 14 tackles on the day.
Newton would take it himself for his fourth total touchdown and his 50th career rushing touchdown to put the Panthers up 30-16.
Don’t worry, Panthers fans. The Patriots weren’t done even as they were down two scores. A long drive capped by a Dion Lewis touchdown drew the Pats within a score.
And then a Tom Brady-to-Danny Amendola touchdown would tie the score at 30 with just over four minutes remaining.
On a huge 3rd-and-3 from the Patriots 46, Devin Funchess, who was battling cramps throughout the fourth quarter, makes a huge catch for the first down on the Patriots side of the field.
After a penalty and two runs set the line of scrimmage at the 31-yard line of New England, it was time for this guy.
Spoilers: It’s good, and the Panthers are 3-1.
FINAL: Panthers 33, Patriots 30
